2025 WV Team Preview: Bridgeport Indians

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% Off Your Subscription with Code PRZWV30 at Checkout!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bridgeport Indians graduated one of the best senior classes in school history, which led them to their 11th state championship. They'll reload at a program as plug-and-play as Bridgeport's, but some new faces will need to step in to bigger roles in 2025 and prove themselves. The Indians will look different as far as personnel, but their single-wing offense will still prove to be a nightmare for opposing teams to defend as they look to try and defend their title from 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2025 Schedule</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8/29: at Buckhannon-Upshur<br>9/5: vs Heritage Lynchburg (VA)<br>9/12: at East Fairmont<br>9/19: vs Philip Barbour<br>9/26: at Robert C. Byrd<br>10/3: vs Fort Hill (MD)<br>10/10: at Spring Valley<br>10/17: at Preston<br>10/24: vs Grafton<br>10/31: vs Fairmont Senior</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 Record:</strong> 14-0<br><strong>2025 Prediction:</strong> 10-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1138213"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6890f1ee47218"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1138213' first='Noah' last='West'] will be a three-year starter for the Indians as he enters his senior season as one of the few notable prospects with expanded experience. Bridgeport graduated a talented senior class with new names ready to emerge, but West is a proven commodity in the trenches and executes its single-wing blocking scheme perfectly. He's a strong, physical presence along the line of scrimmage and embodies what the Indians want to do along their fronts. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/10042207/67631c707a2be56b9ca66957' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6890f1ee476a6"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["866259"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6890f1ee4772c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A long snapper to know in the 2026 class is Bridgeport's [player_tooltip player_id='866259' first='Wes' last='Conley']. He has excellent size for the position at 6'2 235, which will get him on the field when the Indians are on offense as well. Game film is lacking from Conley, who has kept him out of the rankings to date, but he'll be a long snapper prospect that should have programs in the state and region vying for his post-high school services. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bridgeport v Fairmont Senior<br>WV State AAA Semi-Final 2024 <a href="https://t.co/4p93nHccom">pic.twitter.com/4p93nHccom</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='866259' first='Wes' last='Conley'] (@WesConley44) <a href="https://twitter.com/WesConley44/status/1871249621483143454?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1154891"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6890f1ee477a7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2027 Bridgeport LB [player_tooltip player_id='1154891' first='Gabe' last='Martin'] is one of the very few returning standouts from the Indians' state championship squad in 2024, and will be leaned on heavily for their attempt to defend it. He had an excellent breakout sophomore year, leading Bridgeport in tackles on a talented roster, and will be a team leader this season as a junior. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's what we recently said about Martin in our <em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/2027-summer-rankings-update-defensive-stock-risers/">2027 Stock Risers article</a></em>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Bridgeport LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1154891' first='Gabe' last='Martin']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/gabe-martin-3/"></a> first caught our attention when the 2027 Watch List first debuted last winter as a standout on the Indians' freshman team. Fast forward a year and a half, and Martin is now our #2-ranked linebacker in the 2027 class. We got to see him in person earlier this summer at Fairmont State's Prospect Camp, where he earned a top performer mention and further cemented our high thoughts of him. Martin had a tremendous sophomore campaign, leading the AAA state champs in tackles during his first season of varsity football. He'll be a three-year starter and a household name in the state by his senior year and will garner college attention sooner rather than later."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19586917/6831b7a71a6c126b6e754ab9' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6890f1ee477dc"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1155329"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6890f1ee4784f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Expect to see the versatility of our #1-ranked 2027 Kicker prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1155329' first='Gavin' last='Williams'] this season for the Indians. He may end up being their top ball carrier this fall and further show the athleticism he has. Williams hasn't been needed on the varsity level at that position to date, but after graduating a talented senior class, Bridgeport will need athletes like Williams to step up in their single-wing offense. He's an excellent kicker prospect with a very high ceiling for the position, but Williams is a multi-faceted athlete who will give defenses issues in the running game as well this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18089886/67643b7909085056857d37a4' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6890f1ee47882"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1642354"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6890f1ee478f4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2027 TE Broady Jeran will make his way to defending state champion Bridgeport this season after two years at Buckhannon-Upshur. He's an intriguing prospect with a lot of potential, who needs to get some game film to get his name out there for colleges fully. Jeran has looked solid this summer at various camps and should be a nice addition to the Indians' program this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's what we recently said about Jeran in our <em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/new-additions-to-the-2027-top-70/">2027 Rankings New Additions article</a></em>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"This ranking for 2027 Buckhannon-Upshur TE <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1642354' first='Brody' last='Jeran']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/brody-jeran/"></a> is based purely on potential and upside with the #2 TE spot in the class. Jeran has no game film to evaluate yet, but has looked the part at TE at various camps this summer. You can see the vision for him at tight end with the frame he has and the athleticism to utilize as a foundation for further development. Jeran has put in a lot of time this summer working on his craft, and we're excited to see how it translates on the field for his junior year and get some game film posted."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Great day for football, thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/HerdFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HerdFB</a> for the amazing camp!<a href="https://twitter.com/CoalfieldsCo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoalfieldsCo</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/GunterBrewer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GunterBrewer</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ChansiStuckey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChansiStuckey</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachRSmith1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachRSmith1</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachGeiger_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachGeiger_</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ChuckLillie?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChuckLillie</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachDreAllen26?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachDreAllen26</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/KevinNeal28?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KevinNeal28</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachRod_McD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachRod_McD</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_EMatthes?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_EMatthes</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NYSEandeasy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NYSEandeasy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneWV?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneWV</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachRodWest?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachRodWest</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachKyleKempt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachKyleKempt</a> <a href="https://t.co/HotZGqHwpL">pic.twitter.com/HotZGqHwpL</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1642354' first='Brody' last='Jeran'] (@Jeran_b7) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jeran_b7/status/1933661884290314267?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1616323"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6890f1ee47969"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A prospect that would've placed well in our recent 2027 rankings update had he posted film in time, but will be a name to know over the next two seasons is Bridgeport DL [player_tooltip player_id='1616323' first='Tristin' last='Noble']. Expect him to see a much bigger role at TE and DL this season for the Indians as they look for some younger players to step up. Noble has a good frame that will catch college eyes, and expect him to begin getting on their radars during his junior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19065233/687870b8456256511793123c' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6890f1ee4799b"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Other Players to Know</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1683620' first='Aiden' last='Gorby'] - 2027 RB/DB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='864951' first='Sean' last='Veltri'] - 2027 TE/LB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nathan Hess - 2026 TE/DL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Harrison Hall - 2026 OL/DL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Landen Gillum - 2026 RB/DB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cam Hathaway - 2027 TE/DL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Eli Knight - 2027 RB/LB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='864958' first='Graham' last='Vincent'] - 2027 RB/DB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1221846' first='Zach' last='Hickman'] - 2028 RB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->